The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-12-15

kind made in this country and pay therefor
nearly or quite the same enhanced price
which the duty adds TO tie imported articles.
Those who buy imports pay the duty charged
thereon into the public treasury, but the
great IN jority of our cit zens who buy do
mestic articles CT the same class pay sum
at lest approximately equal to this duty to
the home manufacturer. Tbs reference to
tie operation Of our tariff laws is not marie
by way of instruction. but in order thatswe
may lie constantly reminded of the manner
in which they impose q burden unon those
who consume domestic PRODUCTS rs well as
those who consume imported articles and
thus create tax upon all our people.
MANUFACTURING INTEEEsTs MUST BE PRO-
TECTED.
1t is not proposed to entirely relieve the
country Of this taxation. 1t must be exten-
sivelv continued the source of the govern
hent's income; and in readjustment of 90.
tariff the interests of American labor en-
gagged in manufacture should be carefully
considered, as we'll as the preservation Of
our manufacturers. 1t may be callel pro-
lection, OR by any other name. but relief
from the hardships and dangers Of our pres
eit tariff laws should be devised with espe-
cial precaution against imperiling the exist
enc9 of our manufacturing interests. But
this existence should not mean condition
which, without regard to the public welfare
or national exigcncy, must always insure
the realization of immense profits instead of
moderately profitable returns. AS the vol
ume and diversity of our national activities
Increase, new recruits are added to those
who desire a continuation of the advantages
which they conceive the present system of
tariff taxation directly affords them So
stubbornly have all efforts to reform the
pr sent condition been resisted by those OF
our fellow citizens thus engaged that they
can hardly complain of the suspicion, enter
tanned to certain extent, that there exists
an organized combination all along the line
to maintain their advantage
We are in the midst of centennial celebra-
tlons, and with becoming pride we rel ice in
American skill and ingenuity, i'll American
energy and enterprise, and in the wonderful
natural advantages and resources developed
by Il century's national growth. Yet when
an attempt Is made to justify a scheme
which permits tax to be laid uron every
consumer in the land for the benefit of our
manufacturers. quite beyond a reasonable
demand for governmental regard. it suits the
purposes of advocacy to call our 1nanufac-
lures infant industries, still needing the high
est and greatest degree of favor aud foster
ing care that can be wrung from federal
legislation.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
1t is also said that the increase in tie price
of domestic manufac ures resulting from the
present tariff is necessary jn order that
higher wages may be paid TO our working
men mloyed in manufactoii.s s, than are
paid for what is called the Taul er labor of
Europe. All will acknowl .dge the force Of
an argument which involves the welfare AMI
liberal comrensat on OF our laboring people.
Our labor is honorable in the eyes of every
American citizen; and as it lias at the foun-
dation of our DEVELOPMENT al d progress, it is
entitled, without affectation or hypocrisy, to
the utmost re gard. The stan lard Of our Ia
borers' life should not be measured by that of
any other country less favored, and they are
entitled to th.ir full share of all our advau-
tages.
By the last census it is made to appear that
OF the 1882, ,G9J of our population engaged
i'll all kinds of industries 100, 493 are en-
p Dyed i'll agriculture, 4,014, 23S in profess
sional and personal service 1854, $40 of whom
are domestic servants ard labortr), while
1,Sl0,:56 are employed in trade end trans
Io"tation, and 3.S37, 1l2 are cassed as EN-
For present purposes, however, tho last
number given sht uld I've considerably re-
duced. Without attempting to enumerate
all, it will lie conceded that there should be
deducted from those which it includes 375, 14s
carp enters and joincrs, 2S5, ,401 milliners,
dressmakers and seamstresses, 172. 726 LACK
smiths, l33, 756 tailors and tailores es, 1G2 413
masoLs, 76, ,2i1 butchers, IL, 300 bakers, ~ OS3
pias:erers and 1891 engaged in manufactur-
ing agricultural implements, amounting in
the aggregate tc 1874, ,025, leaving 3623, csc
persons mployed III such manuflct uring i'll
duStr as are claimed to be benefited bya
high rff
To these the appeal is made to save their
employment and maintain their wages by
resisting change. There should be no dis
position to answer such suggestions by the
&! allegation that they are in a minority among
those who labor and therefore should forego
all advantage il the interest of low prices for
the majority; their compensation, as it NAV
be affected ty the Cperation of tariff laws
should at all times he scrup llously kept in
view, and yet with slight reif .ctinn they will
not overlook tie fact that they are con-
sumers with the rest; that they, too. have
Their own wants and those of their families
to sui ply from tn ir earnings and that the
price Of the necess'ri,s S of life Us well as the
amount Of thtir wages W |. regulate the
measure of tht il welfare and comfort.
But tie reduction OF .axatio d, manded
shou i be so measured d5 not 10 necesSjta;e
or Justify either the loss of enlploym nj bv
the working man nor t:e le>senine of his
wages; and the profits still 1t manning to the
manufacturer, after a necessary readiust
ment, should furnish no excuse for tue sacri
fee OF h interests Of his employees eitler in
their opportunity to work or in the dim :nu-
ton OF their compensate n Nor can tho
wor er III manufactures fail to Understand
that viii high tariff is claimed to be-
necessary to allow the payment cf reInun-
erative waS-s, 1t certainly sut IS in q very
large increase in tie price of nearly all
rts OF manufactures, which, in almost
countless forms, he needs for the use of
himself snd his family. He receives at tfS
c'k OF h.s employer his wages AMI Der.
haps before he reaches his ho ne i, Obliged
in purchase for fam ly use of an article
which embraces his own labor, to return
in the paym. NJ of the increase of price
which the tariff permits, the hard earned
compensation of many days of toll.
AN APPEAL To THE FARMERs.
Tie farmer and the agricu,turist, who
Manufacture nothing, hut who nav the in
creased price which The tariff imposes upon
every ag1 1icultural implement, upon all he
wears and upon all he Us1s and owns, exceDt
the increase OF his focks and herds and such
things as bis Eusbandry produces from the
soI, is invited to aid in maintaining ths
present situ1tion; and he is told that a high
duty OF imported wool is necessary for tho